THE Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) will host the 1st National Age Group Championships (PANAGOC) this weekend at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The three-day event, which starts today (Friday), will feature the country’s top junior swimmers, including Asian junior gold medalist and record holder Jamesray Mishael Ajido, two-time World Junior Championship campaigner Jasmine Mojdeh, and their fellow Asian meet campaigners Aishel Evangelista, Patricia Mae Santor, and Ricielle Maleeka Melencio.
Newly appointed PAI Executive Director Anthony Reyes said around 700 swimmers from more than 50 teams and swimming clubs nationwide have been confirmed to participate in the country’s biggest local swimming competition since PAI introduced the national ranking system for all local swimming body registered members.
The Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Speedo are sponsors of the event.
PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Rep.Eric Buhain said a short tribute for the late Executive Director Francisco ‘Chito’ Rivera will highlight the opening ceremony on Friday at 8 a.m. The 67-year-old Rivera, varsity swimming head coach of the Jose Rizal University and co-founder of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA), succumbed to a heart attack recently.
“Coach Chito (Rivera) is a great loss to Philippine aquatics. But his legacy lives on as we continue to put our best foot forward to further enhance the development of swimming and the other disciplines in aquatics. We’re targeting a better future in open water, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming, from regional to national levels,” said Buhain.
